What type of person would do this and where would I find them?

[BlameItOnTheBogey]

I have a toddler DS of 19 months and a two week old newborn DD. DS was in nursery full time before I went on mat leave but I have reduced him to part time hours whilst I am on leave. I'm breastfeeding DD - I tried with DS and it went badly wrong and he ended up being hospitalised. It's going really well this time and I am determined to make a success of it. But DH goes back to work the week after next and I had thought by this point I would be up and running and so although it would be hard, I'd manage to run around after the toddler and feed newborn as required. But I'm still a long way away from being able to just aim her in the general direction and get on with other things and I can't see us getting there within the next week. I asked nursery if DS could continue full time for another month but they have given the space to someone else.

So, I'm looking for someone who could come to our house for two days a week just for a month or so to help out. I guess I'd want them to play with DS whilst I feed (at the moment that's pretty constant) and maybe just generally help out whilst we find our feet. Any ideas what sort of person am I looking for and how I might go about finding them? I am in London.

Thanks!

I think what you are looking for would be a Mothers Help. I'm sure there will be someone along soon that will be more experienced.
I have two DS's both under 3 and am expecting my 3rd DC in June, I have just started advertising for a Mothers Help for the few weeks before and after the new baby is born to help in similar ways.

Good luck and congratulations on the new arrival and Breastfeeding.

Thanks for the reply. I did wonder about a mothers help. Wonder if I have left it too late to find someone...

Good luck with the new arrival!

you need a maternity nanny or a post natal doula

Lots of london nanny agencies have maternity nannies or you can look on nannyjob or gumtree for one.

You can find post natal doulas on the nurturing birth website or doula uk

Paula - but is that right even though the main responsibility would be entertaining my toddler and not looking after the newborn? I'm so confused by all this...

I second the post natal doula - that is just what they would do, leaving you to get on with the looking after your baby

Blame - I would be interested!! Would you have room for someone to live in overnight between the 2 days and would they be consecutive? Not a requirement, just for my interest.

I'm an Aussie nanny with 2.5yrs experience with children aged 3 weeks to 12 yrs, including working in a nursery with up to 10 18mth-2yr olds (just myself and 1 other staff member) and a holiday nanny position with up to 6 children between 6 weeks and 3 yrs old. I am qualified to NVQ 2, have First Aid (to be renewed as soon as I find work!), am Ofsted registered, have an enhanced CRB disclosure and Police Certificate from Australia.

My email is [email protected] . Hope to hear from you soon!

this is the kind of thing i do - ad hoc -but i am in kent so too far away tbh

have a look on netmums, there are often ads from nannys looking for temp/part time work if work 3 days a week

i would be happy to do this for a month (i work 3 days)

blame - a doula is there to make your life easier in what ever capacity they can

if I was closer and not so busy I would offer to help as I also have 17 years of nannying experience on top of my doula experience.

If you need me to ask on the doula forums, just let me know

Talk to your health visitor. In my area (Midlands) they have volunteers for just this problem. Can't remember the name of it, but your HV will know if you have a scheme in your area. And its all free.

They'll come to your house for a few hours for as many weeks as you need to and help out with whatever you want them to. Whether it be ironing, feeding babies, playing with older ones.

I never used them, but one of my friends did as she was finding having a messy house with DS1 was born too much to cope with, so they came round and helped her for a few weeks. She says it was a godsend as she really couldn't cope with the change in house mess after giving birth (CS).

I think the service that MunchMummy is speaking about is Home-start (well that's who it is in my area) I tried to use them as they help famalies with pre-schoolers, but unfortunatley due to budget cuts they weren't taking on any new referrals.

Hope everyone else is well this evening. I have my 16 weeks appt with my midwife tomorrow, but for some reason am feeling nervous.

I've also got a very upset stomach this evening which isn't helping. I have a horrible feeling it was the fish pie I cooked for dinner as DF is unwell too. I only hope my two boys are ok as they had it as well.